Stanton Unconditional (13 page)

Huh … what the hell? My eyes widen in horror as his sick eyes look straight through me.

“Tell me, how many orgasms have you had on that vibrator, Natasha? Do they feel good? Do they feel like cock?”

My face drops.
Holy fuck
. I stand in a rush and run for the door. Oh my god … it was him. He’s got it. How … how did he even know who I am? Who was in my apartment? I run into the hallway and feel Jesten’s arm around my waist.

“What’s wrong?” he whispers.

My eyes are wide and before I can think what I am saying I blurt out. “My house was robbed last week and my vibrator was stolen and he has it.”

He frowns. “What?”

I nod frantically. “It was pink and he just asked me how many orgasms I had on it. What the hell is that about?” I snap.

“Jesus, stay in here. I will go and get someone,” he mutters.

“No, don’t leave me. What if he gets me?” I stammer as I grab onto his shirt in fright.

“He’s not getting you, Doc. Calm down.” He runs off somewhere.

I wring my hands in front of me and I ring Max’s number in a panic.

“Hello, Max, come and get me,” I stammer.

“Sure I’m out the front. What’s up?” he replies.

“Just wait there. I’m coming out,” I cry.

“Ok, what’s wrong?” he snaps.

I hang up in a panic.

I burst out of the bathroom and run straight into Jesten.

“Jesus.” He snaps as he grabs my arms. “Hey, calm down,” he whispers as he pulls me into an embrace.

My heart is racing as I am gripped with anguish. I am wrapped in his embrace as he tries to comfort my fear. My arms are wrapped around his broad back, he smells good, masculine, warm. I feel a frisson of arousal sweep through me and I pull back in shock as I frown.

He sweeps the hair back from my damp forehead and looks down at me …
huh?

Henry comes through the door in a rush. “Natasha, are you ok?” he asks.

Oh god, embarrassment sweeps over me and I pull out of Jesten’s grip. I do not want all of these people knowing I have a vibrator.

“Can we talk in private please, Henry?”

He smiles sympathetically. “Sure dear. Meet me in the office at reception.”

I nod. “Ok, I just want to freshen up.” I walk into the bathroom and put my face into my hands. The James Bond movie has now turned into Quentin Tarantino … fucked up horror movie. I start to giggle uncontrollably. Even if I imagined this shit, I couldn’t fucking imagine it. I need a strong drink.

Jesten walks into the bathroom. “You ok?”

I smile, embarrassed. “Yes, sorry.”

He cuddles me and for some reason I melt into his arms again
. What am I doing?

He smirks at me. “Why in the hell does a chick as hot as you need a vibrator?” He smiles into my forehead.

I feel my face go bright red and I pull out of his grip—that just feels too familiar. I scratch my head in horror. “No comment.”

He giggles. “Don’t worry when you’re my girl you won’t need one. Don’t bother replacing it.”

“Stop it,” I snap. “I am not your girl and I am not going to be your girl. Stop deluding yourself.”

I walk out of the bathroom in a huff and down to the office to have the most embarrassing conversation of my life.

I sit in my office as the intercom speaks. “Amelie is here to see you.” The receptionist’s bored voice echoes through the room. My eyes close in regret. I knew this was coming. I have been back in LA for two weeks and I haven’t heard from her. I was hoping that I wouldn’t. I put the heel of my palms into my eye sockets. “Send her in,” I reply flatly.

I swivel on my chair with my eyes down. I’m furious with her. I know she’s hurt but the pain she has brought me is unforgivable. I never meant for any of this shit to happen.

The sound of her heels click on the marble through the huge room and I raise my eyes slowly to meet hers.

“Hello Joshua,” she whispers nervously.

My eyes stare through her and I run my tongue over my front top teeth. “Hello, Amelie.”

She stands still and waits for me to speak. I don’t.

“Are you going to speak to me?” she asks as her eyes fill with tears.

“I have nothing to say to you,” I reply coldly as I twist on my chair.

“Joshua please.” She bursts into tears. “I love you, I had to tell Natasha. I couldn’t be dishonest.” She sobs.

I frown in disgust. “I would have told her—it wasn’t your place to hurt her like that.” My anger rises.

She frowns. “You weren’t going to tell her,” she snaps. “Why didn’t you tell her you love me?”

I screw up my face. “Because I don’t. You’re delusional, it was five minutes of shit sex Amelie. I have never regretted something so much in my life!” I shout.

He face falls. “You regret it?” she questions.

“Of course!” I yell. “I make myself fucking sick that I have hurt her like this. She is a good person and she didn’t deserve any of this. I will never, ever forgive you for the way you treated her.”

I watch as her expression changes from one of hurt to anger. “Tell me … did she tell you that she told me to back off from your money in the toilets when I told her we were in love?”

“Stop lying,” I snap as my skin starts to crawl.

“Think about it, Joshua, she leaves you at the drop of a hat. She has no regards for your feelings. It doesn’t sound like she loves you at all or if she ever did.”

“Shut up!” I scream as I jump from my chair.

“She actually gets off on your pain,” she sneers.

“Get out!” I scream.

I turn my back on her and look out the window.

“Tell me, Joshua, how many times have you tried to contact her and been ignored?”

I don’t answer.

“She will never make you happy, Joshua.”

“Get out!” I reply with my back to her. “I’m done.”

“So what did they say then?” Abbie frowns and I shrug. “Apparently he has done this before. He reads the police reports and tries to scare people.”

“Get a new job, this shit is too weird,” Bridget gasps.

I nod. “I know.”

We are at Milson’s, a bar in Pitt Street. We can’t go to any of our normal hangouts because Abbie is hiding from army guy the man Abbie is sort of dating. Apparently he’s getting all possessive and jealous and she’s not coping—it was only a matter of time. The music has a distinct R&B feel, very different to our normal dance kind of places.

The walls are painted gold and it has big brass pendant lights that hang over huge wooden benches, and you sit on what could possibly be the most uncomfortable stools in the history of the world.

“So the police think he has read the police report about the robbery and then has purposely tried to scare you,” Bridget sips her margarita as she listens.

“Aha, they accessed his computer and he was looking up some illegal website of local crime and he had also googled me,” I shiver at the thought.

“Shit. Thank god you don’t have any social media.”

“This is why I don’t. Do you think he really does have my vibrator? What if he was telling the truth?” I sip my drink again.

“He’s in maximum security—he doesn’t have your damn vibrator.” Abbie pulls a disgusted face.

I blow out a breath as I scull my margarita and Bridget bubbles up a giggle.

“What?” I say deadpan.

“This is actually funny, this last week you have been having. Just how many black cats have you run over?” Bridget asks.

I smile and shrug. “I don’t know… maybe a huge one. Like a fucking Jaguar or something.” We all giggle and our next round of drinks arrive. I hand over my credit card.

“I would like to propose a toast.” Bridget smiles and we all raise our glasses.

“To no more sadness.” Their eyes meet mine.

I smile sheepishly. “Sorry girls, I know I have been a nightmare lately.”

“Not to mention fucking boring,” Abbie snaps.

I nod and smile as I lick the salt from my glass. “I will endeavour to be more fun, just for you Abbie.” I raise my glass to her.

She does an exaggerated nod. “Good … about time. I would hate to have to trade you in.”

The waitress returns. “Excuse me, your credit card has been declined.” She hands me the card.

“Oh god,” I stammer. “I will have to transfer money—I’m so broke.”

Bridget hands over her credit card and I start to log into my internet banking on my phone.

“It’s good to have a phone again,” I remark as I concentrate on the screen. I’m having trouble reading it without my glasses so I hand my phone to Bridget.

“Here, can you transfer $300 for me onto my credit card?”

She takes the phone off me and I take a sip of my drink.

“Check out the fabulous shoulders on that guy at the bar,” Abbie smirks

I turn and look. “Hmm, not bad. Seven.”

“No way, nine,” she replies.

I smile as my eyes flick back to Bridget who is frowning at my phone.

“What?” I frown.

“How much is seven zeros?”

“Huh, what do you mean?” I ask.

“I think you have three million dollars in your account.”

I frown as I snatch my phone from her and I look at the screen. “Huh.”

Abbie snatches the phone from me. “Fuck off. No way. That’s thirty million.”

I look at the screen: $30 000 000.00.
What the hell is that?

“How many drinks have we had?” I stammer.

I scroll through to transactions:

Deposit$30 000 000.00Stanton

“Fuck off, what’s that?” Abbie asks, wide-eyed.

I scull my drink and Abbie immediately puts her hand in the air to order another round.

My heart drops. “I’m guessing it’s my divorce settlement,” I whisper as my eyes fill with tears, and the finality of the situation sinks in. I don’t want his money, I want him.

“How long were you with him?” Abbie snaps.

“Three months,” I whisper as I stare at the screen.

“That’s ten million a month, that’s two and a half million a week.” Bridget frowns.

The waitress comes over and Abbie snaps. “We will have nine margaritas and do you have any cigars?” Bridget and I frown at her.

“Yes,” the waitress replies.

“We will have three cigars and a lighter please,” Abbie asks the waitress.

I raise my eyebrows at her in question.

“He’s a stupid fuck, let’s spend the lot,” Abbie sneers.

I sit with my head resting in my hands.
What the hell.

I immediately text Joshua.

I don’t want your money.

A text bounces immediately back.

Liar

“Liar,” I snap. “He’s such an asshole. He’s calling me a liar because I said I don’t want his money.” The waitress arrives with our cigars and Abbie lights hers immediately.

“Oh get off it. What an idiot,” she tutts as she takes a drag of her cigar. “He could have broken my heart for a hundred grand.”

Bridget laughs out loud and chokes on her drink. “I would have done it for fifty.”

I text.

For what it’s worth, Joshua.
You will always be the love of my life.

“What are you texting?” Bridget tries to grab my phone from me. It beeps again.

Liar
If that was the case,
you would be here with me now.

I scull my drink and light my cigar as I try to think of a comeback. I’m not with you Joshua because I love you.

“What time is it in LA?” I ask the girls as I narrow my eyes.

“Um, it’s Friday night ten o’clock … so in LA it’s … fifteen hours behind us. Seven in the morning,” Bridget answers.

You know I would be with you if I could.
We want different things, Josh.
It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

A message bounces back.

You don’t get to say that to me anymore.
You have brought me to my knees for the last time.
Stay the fuck out of my life.
I never want to see you again.

Chapter 11

July 14

Dear Diary,

It has been three weeks since my beautiful Joshua left Australia, and his absence has left a massive hole in my heart, in my life. I have a sick feeling in my stomach all the time. Every time I eat I have to run to the bathroom. I can’t even vomit effectively now, I just dry retch continually. What can I do right? I’m a mess. I have lost so much weight I look like a skeleton. I never knew the effects of stress could be so damn horrific. The nightmares, the migraines, the insomnia. I have seen my psychologist three times this week. I need to get on top of these nightmares. I’m a walking petrified time bomb. What if they are true? What if they are a premonition? What if I lose my love to death and I never get to tell him how desperately I love him? I wish I could ring him. I want to tell him that I am desperate to share my life with him but I need him to be sure that it is me that he wants, before he wrecks our love completely. He is the only man I will ever love and if I can’t have him, I will have no one. My psychologist is the only one who understands why I have done this to myself. I love Joshua so much that I fear it’s abnormal. How can I turn my life around?

July 29

Dear Diary

I went to the bank today. I feel sick. I don’t want his money. The cheque that was written in my blood. The more I think about it the more I know he has moved on with Amelie. He put that money into my account in guilt. His last words to me were I never want to see you again. At Amelie’s insistence, I’m sure. I don’t want his money, I want his love. I want him to love me like he did when he was just my Josh, my beautiful Josh. I want to remove the last twelve months of my life. I want my dad back, like a do-over. I can’t bear this pain.

August 17

Dear Diary

I went out clubbing for the first time last night, a total disaster. I had three drinks, burst into tears and left. I was in bed before eleven. Max is the only one who understands my level of grief. He gave the other guard the night off so he could come out. He knew I wouldn’t handle things well. What’s wrong with me? Will I ever recover?

November 12

Dear Diary

I have been in tears all day and couldn’t go to work. It’s Joshua’s birthday today. Did she make him a cake? Did she sing happy birthday to him? I went to Oscar’s today while Max stayed outside, ordered a cupcake and then sat on my own and cried as I ate it. I’m fucking losing it.

Happy Birthday my beautiful Lamborghini. I miss you.

December 17

Dear Diary

It is one week till Christmas. I heard Mum crying tonight when she went to bed. Her heart is broken because of me. I killed my father, I pushed away the love of my life and now he’s with her. I hope he’s happy. Are you happy Joshua? I hope this has all been worth it. I have to put up the Christmas tree tomorrow and all I really want to do is burn the fucking thing down. Maybe I might move to London, I need a change.

December 26

Dear Diary

I cried most of yesterday—it was a bad day for all concerned. I have started eating for China or Willy Wonka… not sure. I rang Joshua last night, but he didn’t answer—as if he would. I need to move on. I need to get over this. Millions of people go through relationship breakdowns every day and they get through it. I thought Cameron and Adrian might have called me—they didn’t. Figures. Bridget and Abbie and I are going to the beach today with Abbie’s army guy. Can’t bloody wait. I’m thinking of getting a kitten.

December 31

Dear Diary

It’s New Year’s Eve and I know he’s fucking with her. I hate him. His life has not changed and mine is in tatters. I have been dancing all night with Gran and Mum to Beyonce. Tomorrow I start a new year and I am not doing another year like this one. Bridget just called me and tried to get me to go the Ivy but I’m going to bed. It’s 12.30. Bring on the next year.

January 15

Dear Diary

I have been going out—it’s actually ok. I have even had coffee with Jes a few times. It’s been fun. It feels good to laugh again. Jeremy admitted he has been seeing someone from work and he and Bridget broke up. She went on a date with someone else a week later—why can’t I do that? I need to sleep with somebody else.

February 14

It’s Valentine’s Day. Who invented this shit?

I got roses from Jes and asked on three dates. It’s been six months since I last saw Joshua but I am still not ready, I’m staying home and eating Ben and Jerry’s instead. Joshua will probably propose to bitchvet today. She can have him.

Six months later
February 19
Adrian

Cameron pulls the car into Joshua’s driveway. It’s eight in the morning and we have just trained at the gym after Cam finished a nightshift. It’s a habit we have got into—get it out of the way early.

“Seriously, my arms are shaking. There is no way he can lift that.” Cameron shakes his head.

“He does. I watched him the other night,” I murmur as I open the back car door to retrieve my bag.

“He has to be juiced up. No one can bench press that.”

“Probably, where do we get some of that shit? You’re a doctor, write us a script,” I say dryly as I start toward the house.

Cameron rolls his eyes. “I can’t wait to go to jail so you can have bigger biceps. Dick.”

I turn back to face him as he walks in behind me. “Can that happen? Just say you write a dodgy script, would you go to jail?”

Cam screws up his face. “Yes, of course. What do you think?”

I raise my eyebrows as we continue up the drive. “Huh, I never knew that. So what if your prescription pad gets stolen?”

“Then you’re basically screwed,” he replies.

“Hmm.”

We walk up the steps and the front door opens in front of us. Heidi Mills smiles as she steps out into the sun. Her long sandy blonde hair is messed up and she is wearing a skimpy gold dress and high strappy stilettos.

“Miss Mills, ravishing as always,” Cameron smiles as his eyes drop down her perfect body. He holds both of his hands up to accentuate his compliment.

She smirks at him. “You know it Cam. Not happening.” She walks past us without stopping.

He turns and smacks her on the ass as she passes him. I laugh and we head into the foyer where we see two more gorgeous women walking down the hall out of the party room.

“Heelloooo.” Cameron smiles as he raises his eyebrows. “We haven’t met.” He holds out his hand to the tall brunette and she takes it as she smiles.

“Carmen.” She bites her lip to stifle her mischievous grin as she shakes his hand.

“Cameron, I’m Joshua’s brother and this is Murph.” He smiles as he gestures to me.

I look her up and down and nod. “Hi,” I mutter deadpan.

“I’m Allegra.” The dark blonde steps forward.

Cameron smiles as he looks her up and down. “All legs alright.”

Both the girls burst into giggles.

My eyes flick to him and I smirk. “You did not just say that?”

He laughs and then winks at me. I shake my head and head down to the party room. The door on the other side of the room into the pool area is open. I can see Joshua in the pool so I head back to the kitchen to make myself a coffee.

Cameron walks in after me. “Meeeooow,” he snaps. “Fucking hot.”

I smile and shake my head. “Coffee?”

“Yep.” He sits at the kitchen island, opens the paper and starts to read.

I continue making three coffees as Joshua walks into the room from outside in a towel.

“Hey,” he murmurs as he continues to the cupboard and starts to make a protein shake.

“Fucking yessssss,” Cameron snaps. “Pussy trifecta.”

Joshua smirks as he keeps looking down at the shake he’s making and I laugh out loud.

“Did you go to the gym?” Joshua asks into his shake.

“Yeah. Did you know that black-haired guy can deadlift 100 kg?” Cameron asks.

Joshua looks at him and replies flatly. “So?”

“You reckon he’s on the juice?”

Joshua shrugs. “Who fucking cares? What are you pegging him?”

Cameron frowns. “No … Murph was.” He shoots me a stupid smile. I shake my head and take another sip.

Joshua walks over to Cameron. “Give me your phone.”

Cameron hands it over without looking up from the paper and Joshua goes and lies on the lounge and starts to log into Cameron’s Facebook page.

“So what happened last night? Get any action?” Cameron asks as he turns the page.

I shake my head. “No, not into him. Bit of a toss actually, he told the waitress off. Rude bastard.”

“Who is this prick?” Joshua snaps.

My eyes meet Cameron’s as he rolls them. “What prick?” I reply monotone.

“The same guy was in a photo with them two weeks ago.”

“Are you kidding?” I snap. “You just banged Charlie’s Angels in the hot pussy trifecta and you are worried about some loser sitting next to Natasha in a photo on Bridget’s Facebook page.” I shake my head at him as I drink my coffee.

“Here, look at this photo. He has his hand on her leg. See, under the table.” He points to the screen.

I walk over to him and take the phone from his hand and study the photo.

“Who cares? It’s been six months,” Cameron snaps. “Natasha’s a bitch … he can have her.”

Joshua’s eyes shoot up. “Watch your fucking mouth,” he snaps.

I smirk at Cameron and throw a cushion at him which hits him hard in the head as I walk back toward the island bench. “Blasphemy, Cameron. Never try to dethrone the queen.”

“Go home, both of you,” Joshua says flatly.

“Bullshit,” Cameron snaps. “You’re a soft cock. You have the hottest chicks on the planet lining up for you and you’re stalking your ex-girlfriend from my Facebook page.”

Joshua smirks as he keeps scrolling through the screen.

“So anyway,” Cameron continues, “you know that hot nurse I’ve been banging from the hospital.”

Joshua’s eyes stay planted on the screen. “Which one?”

“The blonde one.”

“Elaborate. I think you’re banging about ten blondes at the moment,” I mutter flatly as I drink my coffee.

“Anyway, word on the street is she’s married and she just left her husband for me.” He scratches his head in frustration.

Joshua laughs, his eyes not leaving the screen. “Ha, sucked in.”

“How do you not know she’s married?” I ask in horror.

“Murph, I hardly know her name. How would I know she’s married?”

“You’re a cock. I hope someone screws your wife when you get married,” I stammer.

“No one will be screwing my wife because I will be marrying a virgin … like Nat.” He realises what he is saying and stops immediately. Joshua’s eyes lift from the screen and he glares at Cameron.

“Sorry mate … I didn’t mean,” Cameron whispers uncomfortably.

“I know what you fucking meant,” Joshua snaps. He stands and throws the phone onto the lounge and walks upstairs. We hear the shower turn on.

I put my fingers in the shape of a gun and pretend to shoot Cameron as he slumps back into his chair.

“You know you really are stupid,” I mutter.

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

The morning sun warms me through the windscreen as I sit in my car. I watch Max slowly walk across the pedestrian crossing with the two little girls, one in each hand. We are dropping them off at school for his girlfriend Hallie who had an early shift this morning. I watch attentively as the girls point and talk in over-animation as they show him things around the playground. One of them bounces on the spot, full of excited energy. He looks and smiles as he comments, then he laughs out loud. I smile broadly. Max is happy when he’s with his girls, carefree even. I myself have a huge soft spot for the two of them, their beautiful little personalities ooze honesty. Their father died when they were just one and three. Cancer. I cannot imagine the horror of not having my dad alive and around as I grew up, and yet they can’t even remember what he looks like, or the sound of his voice. Tragic.

Speaking of tragedy. It has been nine long months since I lost my beautiful dad. I miss him. Christmas was the hardest. I don’t know whether the dread of the impending day was worse than Christmas Day itself. Brock was still in Afghanistan so it was just Mum, Bridge, Grandma and me. The Stantons graciously invited us to their house in Melbourne but Mum declined, because Josh and Cam were not going to be there and it was too far to travel with Gran—not to mention the small matter of us all not being able to stand Margaret. I have kept her sordid secret … regrettably.

Joshua and Cameron had Christmas in LA with Adrian. I know if Joshua had been in Australia Mum would have been in match-making heaven—she hasn’t given up, nor have the girls. I’m not so sure though, maybe I have. On Christmas night after an afternoon of silently crying in my bed, I did the unthinkable. I rang him. He didn’t pick up. And yet he knew how desperately sad I would have been about my dad—he still didn’t pick up. I’ve blown it. I have no doubt he has moved on, with who though I’m unsure. The girls speak to Cameron and Adrian on Facebook every couple of days and they told me Joshua hasn’t seen Amelie since the Armageddon day at the hospital. I find that hard to believe. Cameron asks about me every time he speaks to Bridget. I know this because unbeknown to him, half the time he is speaking to me.

On New Year’s Eve with a few margaritas under my belt I texted Cam, Josh and Adrian.

Happy New Year
Thinking of you
X

I remember smiling and tearing up when Cameron’s message bounced straight back. He must have been really drunk.

Happy New Year, baby.
I love you.
X

I waited again and when my phone beeped a message I excitedly grabbed it … Adrian, who must also be inebriated, as his text didn’t even make sense.